PAX Centurion - Spring 2019

www.bppa.org PAX CENTURION • Spring 2019 • Page 47 one example. It doesn’t have to be a gun arrest. It can be any kind of arrest and you can attach the same scenario to it. There are a million different scenarios I can think of that these BWC’s can affect your career or even end it. This brings me back to the “Legalistic” style of policing I talked about earlier. Acting like soldiers or robots and arresting EVERYONE for every little thing or give money tickets to EVERYONE for every violation is the only way that you will never get jammed up. It would be a completely level playing field. We’ve all watched that awful show “COPS”. Every time you watch it, there is an incident that you ask yourself “Why the hell is he/she locking this dude up for that?” Because he/she is on camera, that’s why. Now, we will all be on camera at all times . Plan accordingly. For the last 15 years or so, our commissioners have been outspoken about how Boston is “The model city for community policing”. They constantly stress the importance of community policing. In my opinion, community policing isn’t just a Unit that engages with the community through basketball games and community events. This might look good on Channel 5 but it’s not reality. As important as that may be, Community Policing starts at the patrol level. We are the officers making the most contact with the public. How can I build bridges or gain trust with the public when I have to arrest, cite or tow for every violation of the law due to fear of being labelled racist, sexist or just an asshole cop? Remember, it’s usually the patrol officer’s discretion that will be the first step in building that trust. I would love to still give a “break” when it is needed, but should I have to risk throwing my job or livelihood away just to give a stranger a “break” when it could be used against me later when someone else wants to twist the reality of what happened My concerns with body worn cameras… From Cameras on page 15 and how I’ve historically and properly done my job for their benefit, whether it be in their criminal defense or a civil action? Sorry, I have my own family to worry about. Imagine arresting someone for a jury duty or VAL warrant on a Friday night of a long holiday weekend? Think of the countless times you used discretion and chose NOT to tow the single mom’s vehicle because she was accompanied by her young children and you felt like giving a break to someone down on their luck. Under the microscope of the BWC, every action or decision made will be scrutinized. Maybe not that very, night; but months down the line; when a defense attorney gets paid to review all your footage with a fine-tooth comb and identify trends in your decision making. The only way to protect yourself and your career is to transition to a legalistic style of patrol; treating all citizens the same under the letter of the law. This is the opposite of community policing. It’s impossible to gain the public’s trust patrolling this way. These are the situations and scenarios I would love to avoid, but I’m afraid it’s the only way to protect your job and an unfair representation of your reputation as a police officer, and more importantly as a person. “ ” The urge to save humanity is almost always a false front for the urge to rule. – H.L. Mencken